Marine Debris Program
Marine debris – or sea litter – is an environmental issue that affects marine animals and coastal environments worldwide.
Our marine debris program began in 2010 in order to build knowledge of the types, amounts and locations of litter found in our oceans. The program is assisted by volunteers who help collect this important information.
The long-term goal is to understand the types of litter and where this marine debris is coming from, particularly impacting Gulf St Vincent, Yorke and Fleurieu Peninsulas and Kangaroo Island in South Australia. The information collected from the program contributes to informing the South Australian Single Use Plastic Ban (2021) and nationwide investigation and database into marine plastic pollution. The project is supporting the local waste reduction initiatives and the Commonwealth Marine Debris Threat Abatement Plan in partnership with the Department for Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (DCCEEW), CSIRO and Green Industries South Australia.
If you would like to volunteer your time to be part of our marine debris program, please contact Dr Kristian Peters, marine debris program manager.
Join us for upcoming marine debris and plastic pollution surveys and seize the opportunity to get hands-on in protecting our beautiful coastline and wildlife. Your involvement can create real change — together, we can help safeguard our oceans for future generations.
To get involved, first attend one of our presentation evenings, which will share insights from our long-term marine debris research “Empowering Change: How Citizen Scientists are Combatting Plastic Pollution” followed by a short workshop on how to get involved in our current surveys led by marine ecologist Dr Kristian Peters.
Workshop #1: Empowering Change: How Citizen Scientists are Combatting Plastic Pollution
When: 14 October 2024, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club
Upstairs Beach room, 20 Holdfast Promenade, The Foreshore, Glenelg, Adelaide SA 5045
Light refreshments included.
Register via this link.
Workshop #2: Empowering Change: How Citizen Scientists are Combatting Plastic Pollution
When: 16 October 2024, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: Port Noarlunga Surf Life Saving Club
Corner Saltfleet St & Esplanade, Port Noarlunga SA 5167
Light refreshments included.
Register via this link.
Or, contact Dr Kristian Peters, marine debris program manager.
Explore our marine debris online database to find the locations and types of marine debris and plastic pollution.
Or, download our Marine debris survey information guide.
Reports
Learn more in our Marine debris in the Gulf St Vincent bioregion report.
Useful links
Green Adelaide is participating in the National Plastic Pollution Portal project that is being developed by CSIRO in partnership with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water (DCCEEW). Participation includes sharing data to help create a national picture of plastic pollution. We are also in consultation with CSIRO and DCCEEW around the portal uses and functions. Learn more.